Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)

I am pleased to commend the Courts and Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2025 to the House. No amendments to the Bill have been tabled on Committee Stage. I particularly acknowledge the co-operation and support that has been given to the Bill by colleagues and party spokespersons across the House. I also extend my thanks to the Oireachtas staff, in particular the staff of the Bills Office for their assistance.

As the House is aware, the purpose of the Bill is to provide, by amendment of various Courts Acts, for an increase in the maximum number of ordinary judges of the Court of Appeal, the High Court, the Circuit Courts and the District Courts by 21 judges. The Bill also provides for amendments to the Child Care Act 1991, the Family Courts Act 2024 and the Gambling Regulation Act 2024. Having brought the Bill before the House, the Government is satisfied the additional judicial positions are warranted to address the current demands being placed by the courts and to improve efficiencies across all our courts, providing a vital bulwark of our judicial system. The amendments to the Gambling Regulation Act and the Family Courts Act will provide for the more efficient operation of these Acts when fully commenced. I commend the Bill to the House.

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